|
|
 |
 |
The National Museum of Ireland - Archaeology and History
The National Museum of Ireland - Archaeology and History is the national repository for all archaeological objects found in Ireland. This museum houses over 2,000,000 artefacts which range in date between 7000BC and the late medieval period.
Exhibitions include the finest collection of prehistoric gold artefacts in western Europe, outstanding examples of metalwork from the Celtic Iron Age, as well as the Museum.s world-renowned collection of medieval ecclesiastical objects and jewellery. The Broighter Hoard,the Ardagh Chalice, the Tara Brooch and Derrynaflan Hoard are among the masterpieces on display. The museum also houses a rich collection of Egyptian material and an historical exhibition which deals with the political background and events which culminated in the signing of the Anglo-Irish Treaty in 1921.
The National Museum of Ireland, Kildare Street officially opened its doors to the public in August 1890. The building was designed by Thomas Newenham Deane and his son Thomas Manly Deane and has been described as .an accomplished exercise in Victorian Palladianism.. The rotunda or entrance hall is 18 metres high and is decorated with classical columns of Irish marble. The rotunda opens onto a great central court and gallery. Exhibition rooms are located around the court on the ground floor and off the gallery on the first floor.
The mosaic floors are decorated with scenes from classical mythology and allegory and were laid by Ludwig Oppenheimer of Manchester. The intricate door panels feature a wealth of motifs and were carved by Carlo Cambi of Siena while the door architraves executed in blue, yellow and white majolica were manufactured by Burmantofts of Leeds.
| | next page > |
|
|
